Jack, just like say selenium, too much may be no good. Sitosterols are suspected to downregulate 5a-reductase type 2. That same enzyme is critical to the synthesis of allopregnanolone and THDOC in the brain. Have a half dozen references to point to, needs its own thread - but see this discussion for some background:
http://www.millerarts.com/discuss/viewtopic.php?t=1190&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=15&sid=68862bafccf4cefb3c878508d3ffcb3a

hmmm.. that's very interesting. i've never been particularly concerned abut the levels of beta-sitosterols in almonds. i mean, i definitely do not ever eat canola oil or any vegetable oils, so i'm with you on that, but is there a real reason for your concern about the potential effects on the endocrine and neuro-endocrine systems? most of the info i've read about sitosterols leaned more toward positive than negative, but i will leave room for me to be off base here.

It's very easy to make your own almond milk. I just soaked ground almonds overnight and it came out great. With that being so simple I'd really go the DIY route if I was concerned about how it was processed.

I think you could easily make your own. I haven't made Almond Butter for some time, but when I did, the almonds were blanched. I posted my formula for Almond Milk at MDA not too long ago which uses blanched almonds and coconut water. I usually buy them pre-blanched.

Ingredients:

1.5 cups whole blanched almonds

4 cups water (I use coconut water, but price is a factor so filtered water works fine)

extra water for soaking

Hardware: Blender, Strainer, Cheesecloth or Nut Milk Bag

Soak almonds overnight

Strain almonds (discard soak water)

Place in blender with about 1.5 cups water of choice, blend to a nice paste.
3b. NOTE - I do not sweeten or flavor my almond milk, but you could add honey, vanilla, cinnamon, cocoa etc at this point.

Add the remaining water and blend completely - 3 - 4 minutes depending on power of blender

Strain this milk through several layers of cheese cloth or even a nut milk bag (check amazon). This is key because a strainer will not filter enough of the nut meal out of your smooth milk.

SQUEEEEEEZE the milk through this cloth into a new container.

Profit!

The meal left over can be dried out in a low heat oven and used in place of almond meal.--

Not sure answering my own question is ok, but I did contact a major U.S. producer of almond milk recently. While they did not want to be quoted on the record, they did indicate that their almond milk was made from skinned almonds, which makes sense (including the skins would make the milk darker I would think).

Still looking for a source of almond butter made from blanched or skinned almonds. It is only a weekend treat, but the search continues. Guess I should take the suggestion above and learn to make my own.

Jack, thanks for the reply. Actually, I am concerned about sitosterols and their potential adverse effects on the endocrine and neuro-endocrine systems. Sitosterol levels are sky high in . . . wait for it . . . vegetable oils (canola is the worst, any minimally processed or expeller pressed vegetable oil will have high levels). Some nuts have high levels as well, notably pistachios and the outer skins of almonds. Thus the search, may have to make my own almond butter from blanched (skinned) almonds.

hmmm.. that's very interesting. i've never been particularly concerned abut the levels of beta-sitosterols in almonds. i mean, i definitely do not ever eat canola oil or any vegetable oils, so i'm with you on that, but is there a real reason for your concern about the potential effects on the endocrine and neuro-endocrine systems? most of the info i've read about sitosterols leaned more toward positive than negative, but i will leave room for me to be off base here.

Jack, just like say selenium, too much may be no good. Sitosterols are suspected to downregulate 5a-reductase type 2. That same enzyme is critical to the synthesis of allopregnanolone and THDOC in the brain. Have a half dozen references to point to, needs its own thread - but see this discussion for some background:
http://www.millerarts.com/discuss/viewtopic.php?t=1190&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=15&sid=68862bafccf4cefb3c878508d3ffcb3a

i dunno what 'certain things' is, but soaking/sprouting the almonds (with the skin) and then dehydrating drastically reduces the phytic acid and enzyme inhibitors. almonds are very rich in minerals and nutrients.

then i just make homemade almond pecan butter with the raw sprouted nuts. and i eat a big spoonful pretty much daily. i don't see a problem with the o-6 poly content, since most of the nut fat is monounsaturated anyway and i get a good amount of o-3 from natural foods like salmon, sardines, eggs, pasture butter, cod liver oil.